Pronunciation: /ɪn ˈmɒθˌbɔlz/
noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things
A1 My winter coat is currently in mothballs.
A2 The old books were stored in mothballs to protect them from insects.
B1 The antique furniture was put in mothballs until the renovations were complete.
B2 The classic car was kept in mothballs for years before being restored.
C1 The historical documents were carefully preserved in mothballs to prevent decay.
C2 The valuable artwork was stored in mothballs to maintain its pristine condition.
preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause
A1 My winter clothes are currently in mothballs.
A2 The old car has been in mothballs for years.
B1 The project was put in mothballs due to lack of funding.
B2 The company decided to put the expansion plans in mothballs for the time being.
C1 The historic building had been in mothballs until a restoration project was initiated.
C2 The artist's collection of paintings was kept in mothballs until a suitable gallery could be found.
formal The vintage car has been put in mothballs until it can be fully restored.
informal My old skateboard is just sitting in mothballs in the garage.
slang I heard that project has been in mothballs for months now.
figurative After his injury, his dreams of becoming a professional athlete were put in mothballs.
mothballed
in mothballs
more mothballed
most mothballed
in mothballs
will be in mothballs
have been in mothballs
is in mothballs
in mothball
in mothballs
to be in mothballs
being in mothballs
mothballing